Smile, Beautiful

Part 6

We bowl the whole night.

Bailey's laugh echoes through the small alley as I hit the gutter every time.

"Brooks? Can I tell you something?" She asks.

"Yup."

"Please, don't ever play bowling for your career! You are awful."

She laughs again, her not perfect teeth showing.

Every imperfection she has makes her even more perfect.

I playfully run over to her and pick her up.

I spin Bailey around and around, and tickle her where she hates it the most: her left side.

"BROOKS NO STOP STOP HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Bailey shrieks, and I sit her down, scared that we will get kicked out for being too loud.

"Sorry Bailey. Just couldn't resist a perfect opportunity to get you back for your hateful comments! You know I'm the best bowler around!"

RaeAnne and Austin are playing on the alley next to us, RaeAnne clearly beating Austin.

"Yeah, whatever you say!" Bailey laughs.

She really is perfect.

She hasn't brought up the dating problem.

I want to date her.

And if I have to wait twenty more years for her, I will.

"So how about we go grab some pizza? We can let Loser 1 and Loser 2 over here finish playing this crappy game of bowling."

I nod, and tell RaeAnne that we are going out for pizza.

I hop into the truck, but Bailey grabs my hand before I can start the engine.

"Brooks, I'm ready."

I'm confused, so I look at her with a curious glance.

"I'm ready to date you."

My keys clatter to the floor.

"You are?"

"Yes."

"Well, can I kiss you?"

She nods, and I lean in.

Her lips touch mine, and a shock of fire spreads through me.

Bailey pulls away, and I smile at her.

"Let's go eat now! I may eat a whole pizza by myself. That bowling experience makes me want to get fat."

She grabs her stomach with laughter, and I take her hand in mine.

"I love you." I whisper into the dark truck, thinking that she didn't hear me.

"I love you, too."